Studio Valerius is a next-generation architecture and design firm founded by New York City’s esteemed, up-and-coming architect, Richard Chandler.
Our team is devoted to nurturing the creative spirit in everyone by imagining and realizing spaces that are both seductive and artfully composed, as they are harmonious with the natural environment and constructed using resources that respect the planet’s ecology. Together, Chandler and our two other founding members, Natalie Imran and Mehmet Emir Dogan, bring more than three decades of design experience to our clients.
At Studio Valerius, we partner exclusively with like-minded individuals who share a moral imperative regarding the wellbeing of people and the environment above all else. The name “Valerius” was inspired by Chandler’s late grandmother, Valerie, whose whimsical paintings adorned his childhood home, and who inspired him to become an artist himself.
Our Approach
We embrace what lies ahead and are driven to shape the built world for the betterment of all. We are dedicated to sourcing natural materials and designing in a manner that respects the finite resources our world has to share.
At Studio Valerius, we lean into doing more with less, preferring the beauty of simplicity expressed through light, material and gesture. Creating spaces where whimsy and softness are artfully distributed, our designs establish a sense of weight, balance and movement that pulls together a harmonious overall composition.
Our approach is scalable, from master planning of a new civic place to the refinement of a single piece of furniture, as we understand nothing is created in a vacuum and all projects' environmental context have intrinsic, embedded value.
Our Mission
We are on a mission to reframe and expose the innate value of any space through the measured and careful deployment of new forms and materials, breathing new life and use into existence.
Our Culture
Beyond our passion for architecture and design, we produce exceptional work that is strengthened by our steadfast dedication to ensuring every member of the studio has a balanced, enriched existence beyond the duty of work.
Our team is uniquely structured as a gathering of creative people. One of our primary goals is to care for and appreciate all team members by allowing project-based, flexible work hours and absolute transparency on all financial operations. Studio profits are openly shared with all team members in an effort to create an egalitarian environment of strength, support and financial freedom. Our firm is designed to be a place for people to put down roots and invest in themselves and, ultimately, be directly rewarded for that investment.
We believe that excellent work comes from experience, knowledge sharing and challenging critiques, both internally and in partnership with clients. This unique approach creates space for all voices to contribute, while distilling a single outcome that embraces the plurality of life and the collective values and dreams of those investing time in every project.
Studio Valerius is ultimately structured around a pedological philosophy, creating a place of learning and mentorship that fosters excellence, personal growth and development. Through democratic participation, shared leadership, multi-faceted learning, and open discussion, we are creating a collective of people who form a repository of knowledge and talent and remain equally invested in creating a brighter future for everyone.